Municipal solid waste management in Japan

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Waste Management

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(96)00107-9· OSTI ID:544169

Sakai, Shinichi ^[1]

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1. Kyoto Univ. (Japan). Environment Preservation Center

Basic measures taken in recent years to control waste management in Japan include: (1) Pollution prevention, (2) reuse and recycling, and (3) waste incineration with air pollution control. It is generally agreed that it is appropriate to follow the assigned priority of these options. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is the responsibility of the citizen, the local government and the business sector. The principal strategy to manage MSW is to prevent the discharge of waste and, where waste must be discharged, to recycle as much as possible to reduce the quantity. However, even if effort is made to minimize the amount of waste, a large proportion still requires treatment in view of the activities of modern society. Once waste is generated, it must be incinerated and/or buried in landfills if it cannot be recycled. Incineration plays an important role in Japan where landfill sites are difficult to secure. With these circumstances in mind, the author outlines the origin of MSW in Japan and the recycling process and the present status of thermal recycling with pollution control. Ash regulation and its treatment methods are also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 544169
• Journal Information: Waste Management, Journal Name: Waste Management Journal Issue: 5-6 Vol. 16; ISSN WAMAE2; ISSN 0956-053X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
FLY ASH
INCINERATORS
JAPAN
MUNICIPAL WASTES
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
RECYCLING
SOLID WASTES
WASTE MANAGEMENT